8: That year, I was as weak as an ant

After initially understanding the function and usage of the Golden Finger, Gelin no longer tried things haphazardly, wasting precious quotas.

During this period, Gelin also tried to find the cost of this Golden Finger.

After all, everyone knows that behind every gift of fate, a price is secretly marked.

However, the cost is not currently visible.

When Gelin used the Golden Finger, he had a vague feeling—

“He, as weak as an ant, is not worthy of knowing the cost behind the Golden Finger right now.”

Only when Gelin breaks through to become a Formal Wizard, a first-order life form, will he be qualified to know the cost behind the “Hundredfold Harvest” Golden Finger.

Such blatant contempt!

Gelin expressed—

It’s truly wonderful!

A guaranteed pass to becoming a Formal Wizard!

What could Gelin do?

As the old saying goes:

Life is like “fitness”; since you can’t resist, just lie flat and embrace it… Now, besides the Hundredfold Harvest Meditation Technique once every seven days,

Gelin put all his other quotas into the Magic Rain Gathering Technique.

The effect was also very obvious.

Five days later, after Gelin’s continuous half-hour practice every day (and the blessing of the Golden Finger),

the Magic Rain Gathering Technique finally broke through to the phrase-casting stage.

The next day, Gelin went and passed the assessment for this wizardry…

The old place.

Beef Burger Shack.

Still the iron triangle.

This shop’s original name wasn’t Beef Burger Shack; it was just that its beef and burgers were exceptionally delicious and famous.

Over time, no one called it by its real name anymore; everyone referred to it as Beef Burger Shack.

This time, the celebration was for two joyous occasions.

First, Gelin’s practical wizardry class passed the assessment.

Second, Bigg completed all subjects of his second five-year grand examination.

He received the title of Junior Magical Plant Cultivator half a year early, his monthly salary doubled from one magic stone to four magic stones, and he received other benefits.

Of course, this couldn’t compare to Oakes.

This guy was running clubs and dating girlfriends,

but he didn’t neglect his studies, completing his second five-year grand examination a year early.

Now he was studying courses for the third five-year grand examination, and even paid Pharmacology courses, which of course were sponsored by his family’s magic stones.

Now Gelin had become the laggard of the trio; only he hadn’t completed the assessment for the second five-year grand examination.

“By the way, Gelin, there’s news about the seminar you asked me about earlier.”

“A senior from the generation before last, who plans to take the teaching route, will come the day after tomorrow to share his experiences with apprentices of our generation…”

“It’s in Classroom 8 on the second floor; just use my name to get in.”

Oakes said to Gelin… Gelin raised his extra-large beer mug and returned a toast to Oakes,

“Thank you!”

“I’ve accumulated quite a few questions this month; I estimate this course will be a sure thing after this seminar.”

“I’ll catch up to you guys soon.”

“Hmm, keep it up.”

“I believe in your strength… Gelin…” Bigg said honestly.

“Hey, speaking of which, why didn’t we invite Aili to this celebration?”

“Last time, you not inviting Aili could be explained by you being in seclusion for too long and starving.”

“What’s the reason this time, Gelin?” Oakes’s thoughts began to wander after three drinks.

“I’m just focused on studying, and besides, she’s busy studying Pharmacology now; how could she have time to mess around with us?”

“By the way, Bigg,”

“Which Botanical Garden are you interning at now?”

“Is the director in charge easy to talk to?”

“Is the work easy, and can you learn knowledge?”

As soon as Gelin heard Aili’s name, he quickly used his topic-shifting technique; he didn’t want to be involved with Aili right now… Bigg, however, didn’t overthink it.

Seeing Gelin interested in Botanical Gardens, he quickly shared his experience with his good brother:

“I’m currently at the Odinburgh Botanical Garden…”

“The garden is mainly responsible for cultivating three types of low-level Demonized Plantss: Red Leaf Flower, Wisteria Fruit, and Ghost Face Mushroom. These three are all relatively high-value low-level Demonized Plantss.”

“The director is alright…”

“He’s an experienced Intermediate Apprentice and is very good to us newcomers.”

“He also gives us lessons when he has time.”

“I heard he’s going to mentor the next batch of new entry-level apprentices next year, so I estimate my workload will increase then, and I won’t have much free time.”

“But I’m not afraid of more work…”

“Our director says more work is even better; you can learn many new things, and it’s good exercise.”

...“How many people work in your Botanical Garden?”

“How large is the planting area?”

Gelin frowned and asked; he seemed to smell the scent of a pie in the sky.

“There are currently four people in our garden: one director, two seniors, and me. Each of them is responsible for one type of Demonized Plants, and I follow behind them to learn.”

“Each of these Demonized Plantss has three acres of land, but they are still relatively easy to manage,” Bigg said.

“How did you get assigned to a place like this?”

“The area is so large; although the care is relatively simple, there are many miscellaneous tasks.”

“When that director leaves next year, won’t all the work fall on you? Where will you find time to study then?” Oakes said with anger on his face.

“Are there no good Botanical Gardens anymore?”

“That shouldn’t be…”

“You completed the grand examination half a year early; at least a third of the people haven’t completed it yet. How did you choose such a Botanical Garden?” Oakes was a bit puzzled.

“Yes, that really doesn’t make sense.”

“Bigg, is there something wrong?”

“Choosing a Botanical Garden is your right…”

“Did someone threaten or force you to choose this one? Tell us, and we’ll help you,” Gelin said with concern.

“Oh, no, that’s not it.”

“This was my own choice.”

“Oakes, Gelin, thank you for your concern; no one coerced me.”

“That director secretly gives me an additional five magic stones per month to take care of his share. We have an equal exchange,” Bigg quickly explained the truth, otherwise, he was afraid his two brothers would come up with some crazy idea.

“Oh, I see, then that’s understandable.”

“It seems you’ve made up your mind, Bigg, to follow the path of a Magical Plant Cultivator.”

“It’s only the second five-year period; do you want to wait until the third five-year period to reconsider?”

“After all, the path of a Magical Plant Cultivator doesn’t have a high ceiling, and it doesn’t earn much; it’s purely hard-earned money. It will be difficult for you to become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice then,” Oakes said thoughtfully.

Gelin remained silent.

He understood Bigg.

Although Bigg was simple and honest, he also had his own ideas, and he respected his brother’s thoughts…